He did put up some fantastic numbers offensively in his early-mid career, but he continued to be the most feared defenceman to face as you were coming over the blueline into the offensive zone.

And if you ever forgot that for just a second, he made you pay.

Never a minus player, yet also racked up a decent amount of penalty minutes - by mid-career, he became one of the best defensive defencemen ever, and it just happened to be that at the same time, he was fairly gifted in the offensive category as well (besides being the best hitter, hands down).

He doesn't fit the exact mold of a stay at home, low points guy . . . but he would be my #1 choice all-time for defensive defenceman that I'd want on the ice to hold a one goal lead late in the game.

"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug

willus3

Posted - 10/18/2010 : 20:41:17 The Langway supporters should consider his mentor. In my opinion the student did not surpass the teacher.

Guest4350

Posted - 10/18/2010 : 13:46:32

quote:Originally posted by andyhack

Who was the best "stay at home" defensive defenseman ever?

For this question, lets not include any defensman who ever scored more than 50 points in a season in the discussion.

Larry Robinson. His points over 50 were from a crazy dominant team(s).

Guest8370

Posted - 10/18/2010 : 11:43:22 I vote for Scott Stevens...his punishing hits and intimidation on the ice were amazing.

andyhack

Posted - 10/18/2010 : 06:30:23 Slozo - name him, sure, but maybe name one or two others who never had the offensive output as well.

And guys who named Langway - any other names that come to mind?

One guy I really like in this category is Adam Foote. I don't know if he is the best ever, but now that the topic started I kind of regret saying "Best". I'm more interested in what types of names would crack the top ten.

slozo

Posted - 10/17/2010 : 18:26:44 Andyhack - can I vote for a guy who started off as a "points" guy, then became the best defensive defenceman to ever play the game?

(I think you know who I want to vote for)

"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug

Guest6363

Posted - 10/16/2010 : 19:53:06 Definitely Langway. He finished second in Hart voting in a year in which he scored something like 32 points.